Getting over the hump

You know the feeling….the blank computer or page in front of you…the pen in hand…some good tunes in the background. You hand it hovring over the keyboard or paper…you’re excited. The blood is pumping and you just know it’s going to be good.

2 hours later…

Yea…I get that too. Sometimes, I just stare at the ceiling, fingers poised over the keyboard till my wrists cramp up and I take a nap. During the nap of course, I get all kinds of ideas but then when I have to put them to paper…ugh

Let’s discuss how to combat this dreaded issue…or at least how I go about it.

1. I like to reread the story that I’m working on. Yesssss…the one that is giving me the writer’s block. Sometimes, I can lose sight of where I’m going in the story, what I’m trying to achieve. I go back through to see where I was going, what the mood was or where the characters are at in their growth. A good chunk of the time, it does get my juices flowing again. And if not…I can get some editing in while I wait.
2. I like to read fan fiction (dodges a few tomatoes). Seriously, good fan fiction is some good stuff and can get the juices flowing again. It give your mind a chance to shut off and reboot, which can help in jumping the hurdle of finding something to write.
3. Music…just music. It helps relax the muscles, soothe the soul and calm the spirit.
4. I have a dog and I like to play with her during these times. Sometimes, we talk. Or I talk to her and she just looks at me like “I have no idea what you are talking about.” I bounce ideas off her, I chase her a bit and in that time, my mind unwinds and loosens it grip on my creativity. At least enough to get another paragraph in.
5. I like to edit my other stories. Usually these are stories that I’ve finished and need to be critiqued. I will go through them and edit, all the while my other story is in the back of my mind, stewing.
6. Last but not least…I do use some social media. Again, this is a time to unwind. What I may do is use this opportunity to promote my blog or a story that I’ve finished…perhaps see what the trends are in the book world. Other times, I just goof off and give the brain a rest. You can push yourself too far and maybe the writer’s block is there for a reason.

 

Now that we have talked about my strategies… what are some of yours? I would be very interested in what works for you. Leave me a comment.